By ANGIRA ZADOCK zangira@ke.nationmedia.comPosted
Monday, November 19
2012 at
00:30

In Summary

Kariobangi-bound vehicle blown up near St Teresa church by device believed to have been left behind, suspect who ran out before blast beaten up and injured by angry mob as leaders call for calm Story and more pictures

At least seven passengers killed and 33 others injured and taken to hospital following blast in a city matatu

At least seven passengers were on Sunday killed and more than 33 others injured when an explosion rocked a Kariobangi-bound matatu.

The mini-bus registration KAY 713F driven by Mr Benard Kibe left the city centre for Kariobangi through Eastleigh, but on reaching Second Street near St Teresa’s, the vehicle was blown up by an the explosion.

Mr Kibe said that he heard an explosion that threw the vehicle up before it landed few metres away from the point of the blast.

As a result of the impact, the matatu parts and luggage were strewn all over the road. Two vehicles that were parked beside the road were completely damaged.

Shortly after the deadly attack, members of the public started attacking some members of the Somali community before the General Service Unit (GSU) personnel moved in to contain the situation and rescued those being attacked.

Nairobi provincial police officer Moses Ombati said that eye witnesses saw a man jumping out of the matatu and tried to enter a vehicle that was following the matatu but he fell down before the members of the public cornered him.

“We are not sure whether he is the person behind the attacks or it is a case of mistaken identity, but we are seriously investigating the incident,” said Mr Ombati.

The KNH’s Emergency Operations officer Nicholas Thuo said that they received six bodies and 28 victims. “Most of the 28 victims are in critical condition,” said Mr Thuo.

He added that 26 were men while the other two were female.

Five victims

Another five victims who were attacked after the blast are however said to be in stable conditions.

The KNH had to recall the staff who were off duty to help in managing the patients.

Hospital chief executive officer Richard Lasiyampe said that most of the survivors sustained injuries on the chest, limbs and the lower abdomen.

Mr Lasiyampe said that they had received adequate quantities of blood from the National Blood Transfusion Centre.